The Cayman Islands Golf

The golf courses in the Cayman Islands are all of very high quality

Golfers vacationing in the Cayman Islands are lucky that they don't have to plan side trips to Jamaica to hit the links during their Caribbean vacation, as was once the case.

It took a long time for golf to arrive in the Cayman Islands, but it has been a popular sport ever since it did. Although real estate developers began promising courses in the early 1970s, the island's first course, Britannia Golf Course, was not completed until 1985. Since that time, three more courses have opened, though there are only a total of three courses open on the island today.

Local Golf Courses

Located at the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman, the Blue Tip Golf Course is a private par-36 nine-hole course. Only guests of the resort and residence owners can book tee-times. The course is a Greg Norman design. On site guests will find a pro shop, clubhouse, bar, restaurant, and locker room. Contact the club at 345-943-9000 to book your tee-time, as you may only hit the links when you have a reservation.

The Jack Nicklaus designed Georgetown's Britannia Golf Course offers three different golfing options. While it appears to be an 18-hole course, Britannia is actually set up to be two courses in one. The first nine holes can be played as a par-35 championship course, or you can add in the last nine for a par-57 18-hole executive course. There are many challenges set up throughout the course, including pot bunkers, two-tiered greens, and several water hazards. The Caribbean Sea even comes in to play at hole five. Also on site, you will find a pro golf shop, restaurant, and bar.

If you're planning a day of golf at Britannia Golf Course, expect to spend two hours on the championship course, or three working through the executive course. The course is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and proper dress is required. You can contact Britannia at 345-745-4653 to book your tee-time.

In West Bay, golfers will find the island's only 18-hold championship course, North Sound Golf Club. This course was designed by Roy Case, and may be known to some as its former name, the Links at Safehaven. The course is par-71, and features more water hazards than many other courses in the Cayman Islands. Located on property are a clubhouse, pro shop, restaurant, bar, and locker room. You can contact North Sound at 345-947-4653.

Cayman Islands Golf Association

The Cayman Islands Golf Association (CIGA) was established in 1992, after the island's second course began construction. The association began with 72 members, and quickly became affiliated with the Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrew's and the Caribbean Golf Association. The purpose of the CIGA is to regulate and encourage golf on the islands, as well as host golf events such as the President's Trophy. When golfers from the Cayman Islands compete in regional and worldwide events such as the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships, they do so on behalf of the CIGA.

If you would like to reach the Cayman Islands Golf Association, you can find them at 345-947-1903, or info@CIGA.ky.

If you're a golfer, don't forget to pack your clubs when you travel to the Cayman Islands. Although there are only a few courses on the island of Grand Cayman, they are all considered to be of high quality, and you definitely won't want to miss them.